Is the 2021 Ram 1500 a bad year?
687 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 278, 5.2× a quiet 1500 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 2k–33k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 278 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 1500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 15,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 278 (40%) | 2k–33k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 199 (29%) | 1k–72k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 98 (14%) | 14k–51k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 73 (11%) | 2k–45k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 100 (15%) | 8k–62k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 33 (5%) | 4k–38k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 27 (4%) | 5k–52k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 50 (7%) | 25k–62k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Collision avoidance | 52 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 30 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 27 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 16 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 15 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 15,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 687 complaints: 27 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 17 report an injury · 38 say the car was towed.
100 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I have had 2 safety issues with my 2021 Ram 1500 laramie with approx. 4,500 miles on it. 1st , and most important, I have had the engine stall when accelerating from a stop onto a roadway.
Truck has stalled twice pulling into traffic. Both times I have been taking a right turn.speed when it happens around 10 mph.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 15,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2021 Ram 1500: 15
The second-row center and left-side seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. An improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The mirror glass may detach from the driver's side heated trailer tow rearview mirror. Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a software malfunction, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module may disable the electronic stability control system. Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system can increase the risk of a crash.
The powertrain control module software may cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine, and result in an engine stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The trailer reverse steering control module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse. A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers, which could result in the tailgate opening while driving. An unintended tailgate opening while driving may result in a loss of unsecured cargo, possibly creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in an improper air bag deployment. An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The incorrect-size spare tire may have been installed, which does not match the tire size and inflation pressure information on the tire placard. A driver that relies on the incorrect spare tire inflation pressure on the tire placard label may inflate the spare tire incorrectly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rearview camera image may not display. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Certain vehicles were built without the retaining clip that secures the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake pedal to separate from the brake system. A separated brake pedal can result in the driver being unable to apply the service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ram: 583
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Ram 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement
Engine PNs: MY 24-26 WD/DT (5.7L) Code P00B is being misdiagnosed and incorrect parts are being installed causing over repair
Transmission Control Module (TCM) Updates Customers may comment on one or more of the following: SYMPTOM: **Harsh or slipping feeling during upshifts (1st…
Check Engine Light (CEL) Illuminated with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0106 Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Performance Setting In The Powertrain Control…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
High pressure fuel pump failure
Neighbouring years
2020 1500: 644 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2022 1500: 639 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Ram 1500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 1500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 2500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Ram 1500 a bad year?
687 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 278, 5.2× a quiet 1500 year. At 15,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 2k–33k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 278 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ram 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (278), electrical system (199), fuel system (98), brakes (73), transmission and drivetrain (100). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 2k–33k miles.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ram 1500 have?
15 recall campaigns list this model year: Seat belts (NHTSA 26V-495), Steering (NHTSA 25V-765), Electrical system (NHTSA 25V-298), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 24V-754) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.